Democrats to caucus June 14 to select successor state Rep. Kreg Battles

INDIANAPOLIS - Democrats in Indiana House District 45 will caucus June 14 to choose a successor to state Rep. Kreg Battles who resigned in May.

Democratic precinct committee members from the district, which covers the Vincennes and Sullivan area, will first choose someone to serve the rest of Battles' current term, which extends through the end of the year. Then, they will fill the vacancy on the November general election ballot for someone to, run against Republican and former state Rep. Bruce Borders, of Jasonville.

The same person could be chosen to fill both roles.

Battles resigned from the House, where he's served since 2006, to spend more time with his family.

Two Democrats, who reside in the district and have previously run for the House, confirmed Tuesday they are running or gathering feedback on a potential candidacy.

Longtime North Knox School Corp. teacher Rick Marshall said he is running in the caucus and wants to ensure the seat is filled by another educator after Battles' departure. Battles is a schoolteacher in Vincennes.

Marshall, of Vincennes, lost to Republican Borders by a slim margin for a House seat in 2008. Marshall is a member of the Indiana State Teachers Association and prides himself in being an early supporter of Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz, a Democrat who defeated Republican incumbent Tony Bennett in 2012.

"We need to replace Kreg with an educator," Marshall said. "I know that Glenda needs help in the Legislature."

Bionca Gambill, a former Linton Township trustee, said she is polling precinct committee members before making a decision to run. Gambill, who lives in southern Vigo County, was drawn into District 45 when the General Assembly redistricted in 2011. Gambill ran for the House in 2010, losing to Republican Bob Heaton.

"There needs to be more women and their voices heard in both the House and Senate," Gambill said. "We bring a different perspective on the issues, and we can multitask and problem solve."

The caucus will begin at 10 a.m. at Sullivan County Democratic Party headquarters, 19 South Section, Sullivan.